AS ONE COUNTRY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 21 September 1938, Page 5

AS ONE COUNTRY.

GERMANY AND AUSTRIA. ARMY AFFAIRS AND PROBLEMS. VIEN'NA. The fJertnan army is absorbing the Austrian army with methodical thoroughness, it U revealed in authoritative information. The ultimate gain in aimed strength will be seven infantry divisions. one armoured division smd one independent brigade. Tliis will bring the (iertnaii total to no fewer than 4.J infantry divisions uud four armoured divisions.

In round nuuihciv the Austrian Federal army consisted of 00.00(1 regulars. 50.000 reservists and 20.000 militia bi'liinging to the patriotic front. Tlk' hitter has been dii-lianded.

It is believed the army lias been converted into two corps, the 17th ami the ISth, and that a new one. the IHth. is to be formed. roii«i*tmg of a light division and an armoured division. The existing iirinoured division probably will form the nucleus, an<l the whole force organised as the fifth army group command. One of the problems ha« been the disposal of the Austrian officers. Oeneral Wilhelm JCehner. who was Secretary of State for Defence, is reported to have committed suicide. A number of senior officers are said to have refused to take an oath of allegiance to Reichfuehrer Hitler and have been dismissed. Austrian Commander. The only former Austrian leader to be given a command is Field-Marshal Bever. who now heads the 18th <"orpe. He was previously in command of the independent brigade of mountain troops at Salzburg, which had gained a high reputation for efficiency. Before the annexation he was inspector general of the Austrian arrnv.

A fi'w staff appointments have been •liven to aiiHtriane. but there has been little consideration for the Austrian general staff a* a whole. Of a total of about 1200 officers, hardly more than 400 are being retained as combatant officers. A commission, sitting in Vienna, investigates the political past of all eerving officers, and its recommendations are final.

With regard to armament, it may be expected that P.erman giine as weil as rifles and machine-gune will be adopted, in view of the difference in calibre between fierman and Austrian weapons. The Austrian tanks, which are of Italian make, probably will be scrapped. The mechanical transport is excellent and presumably will 'be retained. Uniforms will be entirely Herman.

There are a number of munitions factories which will be taken over. Several of them produce a very efficient 47 mm. anti tank gun which can be added to the military pains made by 'fiermanv ae a result of the absorption of Austria.